‘I Fidanzati’ or — Spaces, Absences and Memories?The narrative to Ermanno Olmi’s ‘I Fidanzati’ (1963), or ‘The Fiancés’, is so slight (a Milanese construction worker reluctantly leaves…11h ago11h ago
‘When Tomorrow Comes’ or — After the Flood?John M. Stahl’s ‘When Tomorrow Comes’ (1939) is very much a film of three acts. The good news is that two of them are great. The bad news…2d ago2d ago
‘A Quiet Place in the Country’ or — In Praise of the Other Mastroianni?Elio Petri’s ‘A Quiet Place in the Country’ (1968) makes it blindingly clear from the get-go that its title is heavily ironic because…5d ago5d ago
‘Tormento’ or — The Astonishingly Cathartic Fairy Tale Melodrama?If I was to describe the plot to Raffaello Matarazzo’s ‘Tormento’ (1950) it would sound like your typical melodramatic fodder where a…Apr 14Apr 14
‘Twilight’ or — Intentionally Stupid and F*cked-Up?The problem with watching ‘Twilight’ (2008) for the first time in this day and age, something I did last night, is that you do so in a…Apr 11Apr 11
‘My Friends’ or — Men Behaving Badly?Four middle-aged friends — Perozzi (Philippe Noiret), Mascetti (Ugo Tognazzi), Melandri (Gastone Moschin) and Necchi (Duilio Del Prete) —…Apr 7Apr 7
‘A Minecraft Movie’ or — A Celebration of Rampant Stupidity?In the early 2000’s Jared Hess was briefly an indie film darling. His feature debut, ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ (2004), had become a cult hit and…Apr 5Apr 5
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ or — Who’s the Real Monster?I’d always assumed ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006) was a scathing take-down of the fashion industry and the evil bullies who rule it. I…Apr 3Apr 3
‘More Than a Miracle’ or — Desire, Dishes and Dumplings?‘More Than a Miracle’ (1967) is a very weird movie and not just because it’s a post-neorealist fairy tale involving flying monks…Apr 2Apr 2
‘Rulers of the City’ or — Di Leo’s Irresistible Lunacy?Fernando Di Leo was notorious for the attention-grabbing openings of his movies, and ‘Rulers of the City’ (1976) is no exception as we…Mar 29Mar 29
